high energy

Fashion: The Summer of Sport may be coming to an end, but the demand for sportswear increases. Styling by Jo Adams. Photographs by Roli Shalem

Blue work-out sleeveless jacket and white work-out shorts, pounds 19.99, both by Nike;

Left: red catsuit, pounds 29.99, by Adidas; running spikes, pounds 34.99, by Nike; running blocks, pounds 34.99, from Ealing Sports Centre, 7 The Mall, Ealing Broadway, London W5 (0181-840 6865)

From left: snake-skin print hipster briefs, pounds 45.95, matching crop top, pounds 89.95, and skull-cap swimming hat, pounds 34.95, all by Bjorn Borg, 70 Sloane Avenue, London SW3, (enquiries: 0171-581 0150). Navy stripe unitard, pounds 27.99, patrol trainers, pounds 69.99, both by Nike; beach volley ball, from pounds 7.99, from Ealing Sports Centre, as before. Air Foot Scape trainers, pounds 69.99 by Nike

Stockists JD Sports, 267 Oxford St, London W1; Olympus Sports, 301Oxford St, W1 and branches nationwide; Cobra Sports, 172 Oxford St; Champion Sports, 334 Oxford St, and Market St, Manchester; All Sport, 98 Princess St, Stockport and branches (enquiries: 0800 716 205); Wade Smith, Mathew Street, Liverpool; Adidas enquiries: 0161-419 2500; Champion enquiries: 0181-741 2123; O'Neill enquiries: 0191-419 1777

A-line sports skirt, pounds 37.99, by O' Neill; black crop top, pounds 34.99, by Champion; Fusim MX rollerblades, pounds 200, wrist guards, pounds 20, elbow guards, pounds 22.50, knee guards, pounds 25, all from Road Runner, Unit 002, 253 Portobello Road, London W11 (0171-792 0584); hockey stick, from pounds 19.99, from Ealing Sports Centre. Below: Air Shake trainers, pounds 69.99, and football, both by Nike.

Make-up: Jo Karsberg using Aveda

Hair: Paul Mathews for Paul Mathews

Model: Eva at Elite Premier

Sportswear has been the major influence on the clothes we have worn over the past two decades. The hi-tech fabrics normally associated with professional sport have become commonplace in our everyday wardrobes. Lycra, nylon, polyester and polar fleece have crossed over from the Olympics training track to the office, and designers including Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and Versace have seen their sports lines grow and grow.

Sportswear logos have become as strong a status symbol as the Prada bag or Gucci belt. But, as with all status symbols, it has to be the right brand worn at the right time. And for once, the big-name designers do not have quite what it takes; nothing has the kudos of the real thing. Right now, the Nike tick is all you really need; or, of course, the three stripes that shout Adidas. The names themselves are no longer necessary.

The clothes photographed here were chosen for their function. You would not get laughed out of the gym if you jogged in wearing a Nike unitard and a pair of Air Foorscape trainers. Nor would you get laughed out of your local nightclub.

To emphasise the spiralling demand for all things stretchy, rubbery and in go-faster stripes, Liverpool's fashion retailer, Wade Smith, is opening what it's calling a "high fashion sports concept store", later this month. As well as featuring a climbing wall the height of three double-decker buses, and brands including Adidas, Mizuno and Umbro, the Outdoor Athletic shop will house the largest Nike shop in the country. The store promises to break all sales records for the company.

So forget the summer of sport. Your body might not be as highly wrought as some of the clothes featured here, but, as we move into autumn, whether you are swimming, rollerblading or merely going out for a night on the dance floor, you can look the part even if you don't feel it